Kensington laptop locks easily removed with cardboard!

This is just incredible!
The famous Kensington locks for securing laptops while you're away from it can be beaten with just a toilet roll and some gaffer tape!
Don't believe me? Watch the clip below.
A more detailed walkthrough is at this site:
http://chaosradio.ccc.de/ctv029.html (Don't worry, the guy speaks in English)



Because of this, some have suggested that mac laptop users try out "Undercover" http://www.orbicule.com/undercover/

It reports on the current network settings of the laptop once online, takes regular screenshots of what the thief is doing, and even use the built in iSight camera to take snapshots of the mugger.
If that still fails, it will simulate a dead system, hopefully forcing the thief to sell it or repair, at which point it will alert the new owner what has happened and offer a finder's fee. This is certainly impressive and I think I would buy this if I carried around a Macbook. More details on the URL.

Get A Mac ad: "Off The Air"

Another funny ad, but this time conveys the strong message that Windows users won't switch because they simply don't know how to. Apple resolves that by having Mac Geniuses do it all for you for free, when you buy at a Apple Store.
Now when the hell will they open one in HK! :D
YouTube clip below, but all can be downloaded at better resolutions as usual at: http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/

Jobs being openly honest on MobileMe and iPhone app crashes

Just yesterday, I received an email from The MobileMe Team saying that they're still working out some kinks, and offer 60days free extension of MobileMe as a token of apology! That's on top of the previous 30days granted free soon after it kicked off.

Also, according to the usual blog sites (Engadget, Appleinsider, etc) Steve Jobs has been open and said that they've now identified the issue with the crashing 3rd party apps, and its related to the Fairplay DRM system. The only timeframe he gave was "September". Hopefully it will truly resolve the crashing problems, as the iPhone really does deserve to do better.

Here's hoping that Copy n Paste will follow through soon! (Fingers crossed!)

New "Get A Mac" videos

Apple's just released some more Get A Mac video ads, and they're so funny!
My favourite out of the new releases is the Calming Teas... its soooo true! hahaha
Watch them at http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/

In fact, its so funny, I just had to embed it here! :P

2.0.2 update can be done directly via iTunes - Unlock still works

Prior to going to work, I tried the new firmware update.
I option-clicked the Restore button, as per the usual instructions for updating Pwn'd custom firmwares.
But everytime it finished, it shows a display on the iPhone of a USB plug indicating upwards to iTunes (ie. to be activated).
I also tried going into DFU mode ("Device Firmware Upload") to ensure that the iPhone won't load up its usual security checks on bootup, but still has the same problem.

But some users have claimed that they are using 1st Gen iPhone already unlocked, activated and jailbroken, and can just run this new firmware and it goes fine! End result: updated firmware, more stable and snappier, unlocked and activated, but not jailbroken.

So what's going on??

Turns out that the option I SHOULD have used is the UPDATE button on iTunes, instead of RESTORE. The assumption is that the new firmware will take on the existing condition of the iPhone, including it being activated and unlocked. Using Restore means that I would have fully replaced the current firmware, and thus because its not customised to be pre-activated and pre-unlocked, the iPhone would not know any better.

Can't wait to do this tonight and then report back!
Here's some juicy tidbits from a forum I use: http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/showthread.php?t=49742&page=3


EDIT: - IT WORKS!!!! Took a bloody long time tho.... took about 3hrs from clicking Update, through downloading the firmware and backing up the iPhone, right to the moment I can pickup the unit and start marvelling at its speed! Don't forget to leave some time for you to re-sync the music and media!

Apple firmware 2.0.2 out

Well, its been rather busy for me these few weeks so I haven't updated this. But for those who were anxiously biting their nails waiting for my verdict on the 2.0.1 firmware, yes its more stable and slightly more responsive than before. If you have used the PwnageTool 2.0.2, you would also get the new Installer.app. However, over the past two weeks I have not seen anything worth installing from there yet. Perhaps there will be, but I have a feeling it will only host tricks such as "Kate", apps that display details relevant for Today (Calendar events, new emails and new SMS). There will also be some of the old hacking tools like OpenSSH etc, but after the simplicity of the AppStore and being able to install anything wirelessly, Installer.app doesn't hold that much interest for me anymore.

Now, word has got out that Apple's released iPhone firmware 2.0.2. What does it do? "Bug Fixes".
There have been various reports on the blogs already about how useful it is. Most seem to agree that it does make the Contacts.app seem abit snappier, not too shabby. Those on 3G also claim that it makes it have better reception.

One important fact for me is that 1st Generation iPhone users can run this update WITHOUT having to wait for PwnageTool to be revised. The iPhone will still be unlocked, but not jailbroken. I only care about unlock as I need to use a local HK SIM card for unlimited EDGE use. Jailbreak doesn't bother me so much now so its not an issue.

Download the update from Apple's servers at
http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-5246.20080818.2V0hO/iPhone1,1_2.0.2_5C1_Restore.ipsw . Remember that OSX will download the file as a ZIP file, then usually automatically unzip the contents. To get the actual .IPSW file, you can find it in the Trash bin.

Will try this later this evening and report back later!